"If you were who God meant you to be, you would set the whole world on Fire" ~ St. Catherine of Sienna

“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8: 14 – 17

“The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness.” ~ Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

This is an exciting time for you, the candidate, and your family. As your first “church” – the domestic church, your parents at your Baptism vowed to raise you in the Catholic faith. The Christian home is the first school of Christian life. Although Confirmation may mark the end of your formal religious education, it is the beginning for you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the community of the Catholic Church. Your education in that faith is and will be a lifelong experience.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the purpose of the Sacrament of Confirmation: “Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (CCC. 1285).

The program outlined in this handbook is designed to give the candidate a historical and realistic approach to what it means to truly be a committed Catholic Christian in today’s world. For it is the same Holy Spirit who bestows the same gifts today as He did the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. Our Tradition calls us to serious prayer and study to prepare for this outpouring of the Holy Spirit by the hands of our bishop. The Sacrament of Confirmation is never to be taken lightly, nor is it to be received without proper preparation and careful consideration on the part of both candidate and those who both prepare and support him/her. It is for this reason that we make every effort to ensure that each person confirmed is properly formed in the faith of Jesus Christ, and has the knowledge and experience of the Church, which is His body, living and present in our world.

Catechetical Components

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which enhances the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one’s life. The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with the sacred chrism together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Pentecostand the Giftsof theHoly Spirit

The seven Sanctifying Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Awe & Wonder of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David, Son of God. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.

Concerning our faith: God commanded us to teach it to our children; that the next generation might know it, that they may rise up and teach their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget His works. Ps. 78: 5 – 7